Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, former England captain Nasser Hussain said that South Africa will miss the services of Heinrich Klaasen against spin during the global showpiece.
“Heinrich Klaasen`s absence is odd. Just look at the year South African cricket has had, both men and women; it`s been incredible. Despite all the challenges South African cricket has faced and the way they have managed them, this is one situation I would have liked them to handle differently,” Hussain said on JioStar`s `The Expert View`.
The former England cricketer also said that he would have gone to Klassen, telling him that he is his first pick for the global tournament in India and Sri Lanka. Nasser also said that every cricketer is replaceable, but feels that Klaasen`s absence is a blow for the Proteas.
“I do not know if they could have managed it better, but I would have gone to him and said, `I do not care what you do, you are such a key player for us. When we get to India and Sri Lanka for a T20 World Cup, you are my number one pick, and I want you there.` It may have happened, or it may not have, I don`t know. He may have said, `No, that`s not for me, I`m moving on,` and that`s fine because everyone is replaceable. Every single cricketer is replaceable. But he is such a good player, especially against spin, which is going to be crucial in this tournament. So that is a blow for South Africa,” he said.
The T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to kick off from February 7, and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. South Africa is placed in Group D of the tournament along with teams such as Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Proteas will begin their campaign by playing a clash against Canada on February 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
South Africa`s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026
Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.
(With ANI Inputs)
